Setup changing method and machining system

Abstract

A machine tool setup changing method includes mounting a master workpiece onto a tool spindle axis, deforming a gripping part by gripping, with the gripping part of a jig, a mock clamped portion of the master workpiece mounted on the tool spindle axis, and removing the master workpiece from the tool spindle axis and mounting a tool supported on a tool support device onto the tool spindle axis, wherein the workpiece gripped at the clamped portion by the gripping part, which was deformed in accordance with the mock clamped portion, can be machined with the tool.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A setup changing method for a machine tool including a tool spindle, a storage magazine which stores a tool which is exchangeably attachable to the tool spindle, and a machining jig having a gripping part which deforms in accordance with a shape of a clamped body of a master workpiece, the setup changing method comprising:
 mounting, onto the tool spindle, the master workpiece, wherein the clamped body of the master workpiece has the same shape as the shape of a clamped body of a workpiece to be machined; 
 deforming the gripping part by gripping, with a plurality of straight displaceable pins of the gripping part, the clamped body of the master workpiece while the master workpiece is mounted on the tool spindle; 
 removing the master workpiece from the tool spindle and storing the now removed master workpiece in the storage magazine; and 
 mounting the tool stored in the storage magazine onto the tool spindle, wherein 
 the workpiece to be machined, the clamped body of which is gripped by the gripping part that was deformed in accordance with the clamped body of the master workpiece, is machined with the tool. 
 
     
     
       2. The setup changing method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the gripping part comprises a pair of shape receiving jigs, which are arranged to face each other so as to grip the workpiece interposed therebetween, and 
 the deforming of the gripping part includes:
 sequentially deforming the pair of shape receiving jigs by displacing the plurality of straight pins associated with each of the shape receiving jigs in accordance with the shape of the clamped body of the master workpiece through relative movement of the tool spindle on which the master workpiece is mounted and the machining jig. 
 
 
     
     
       3. The setup changing method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing the master workpiece in the storage magazine in advance of the master workpiece being mounted on the tool spindle. 
 
     
     
       4. The setup changing method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 exchanging, using a robot, the master workpiece stored in the storage magazine with another master workpiece maintained in a storage unit that is arranged outside the machine tool. 
 
     
     
       5. A machining system, comprising:
 a machine tool including a tool spindle, a storage magazine which stores a tool which is exchangeably attachable to the tool spindle, and a machining jig having a gripping part which deforms in accordance with a shape of a clamped body of a master workpiece; and 
 a controller that controls the machine tool, wherein 
 the controller is configured to cause:
 the master workpiece, which is held in the storage magazine, to be mounted onto the tool spindle, wherein the clamped body of the master workpiece has the same shape as the clamped body of a workpiece to be machined; 
 the gripping part to be deformed by gripping, with a plurality of straight displaceable pins of the gripping part, the clamped body of the master workpiece while the master workpiece is mounted on the tool spindle; 
 the master workpiece to be removed from the tool spindle and to be stored in said storage magazine, and 
 the tool supported in the storage magazine to be mounted onto the tool spindle, and wherein 
 the workpiece to be machined, the clamped body of which is gripped by the gripping part that was deformed in accordance with the clamped body of the master workpiece, is machined with the tool. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The machining system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the gripping part comprises a pair of shape receiving jigs, which are arranged to face each other so as to grip the workpiece interposed therebetween, and 
 the controller causes the pair of shape receiving jigs to be sequentially deformed by displacing the plurality of straight pins associated with each of the shape receiving jigs in accordance with the shape of the clamped body of the master workpiece through relative movement of the tool spindle on which the master workpiece is mounted and the machining jig. 
 
     
     
       7. The machining system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the storage magazine is a turret-style storage magazine comprising a plurality of tool holders that are arranged in a circumferential direction. 
 
     
     
       8. The machining system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the machine tool comprises:
 a spindle head arranged to be movable in a vertical axis direction, the spindle head being configured to hold the tool spindle so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis; and 
 a table arranged below the tool spindle to support the machining jig. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The machining system according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a robot which exchanges the master workpiece stored in the storage magazine with another master workpiece maintained in a storage unit that is arranged outside the machine tool.